Over the last few weeks, Dominica has been faced with a surge of the COVID-19 virus on island. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, an Emergency Powers (Curfew) Order came into effect on August 3, 2021. This Order was extended over a period of three weeks and will come to an end on Monday, August 23rd at 6:00pm.
Under the Environmental Health Services (COVID-19) Regulations, a person shall not host or attend a large gathering. A large gathering in these regulations is defined as ten or more persons.
A person who is present at or promotes or aides or assists in the promotion of a large gathering commits and offense and a police officer may order a large gathering to disperse.
All religious places of instruction or worship will be open to allow for no more than ten persons and to facilitate the conducting of services by electronic or virtual means. This week we will hold consultation with the churches to discuss protocols for a safe reopening.
Weddings will be limited to ten persons which includes six persons other than the bride, bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer.
Funerals will be limited to ten persons including one officiant and essential mortuary staff.
Anyone attending any sanctioned gathering must maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from other persons.
All schools shall remain closed and will reopen virtually under conditions to be further detailed by the Ministry of Education this week.
A person shall not host or attend;
- A private party which includes any person from outside of the immediate household of the house occupant
- A recreational or competitive sporting event
- Any social event
- A meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organization
Anyone attending or hosting such an event commits an offense.
With regard to Public Transportation, no more than three persons shall occupy a row of a bus and no more than two persons per row in a taxi. Passengers must sanitize hands, wear a mask, and keep windows open as much as possible.
I am calling on all Dominicans to take these measures seriously. We have all seen first hand how transmissible this virus has been at large gatherings. The decision to maintain the limitations on gatherings is not taken lightly but in our interest.
This article is copyright © 2021 DOM767
